Study Abroad

International study has become more and more popular among Boston College students and Communication department majors as students realize the increasing importance of broadening their intercultural perspectives. We are communicating in a global marketplace and it is ever so important to be able to help cross cultural lines with our spoken and written words. Students participate in programs of study in more than 30 countries worldwide, sponsored either by BC or other institutions of higher learning.

Boston College requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 in order to study abroad.

Students who are interested in studying abroad should contact the Office of International Programs for more information on specific programs and application procedures. Typically, juniors study abroad during the spring semester; however, there are certain exceptions that can be made for placement during the fall semester of junior year.

Registration Options

Students who choose to enroll in a BC international program:

Remain enrolled at BC during their semester abroad.

Pay regular BC tuition and remain eligible for all financial aid.

Earn regular BC credit and grades.

Students who choose to enroll in an externally administered program:

Take a leave of absence from BC during their semester abroad.

Pay the program provider directly and do not receive BC financial aid.

Earn transfer credit, but grades are not averaged into the BC GPA.

Semester Abroad Requirements

The Communication department requires their majors to have completed seven courses in Communication by the end of their junior year. This leaves no more than four courses to be completed during senior year. Among those courses required prior to travel are the four Core courses: Rhetorical Tradition, Survey of Mass Communication, Public Speaking, and Communication Methods. In addition, we strongly suggest juniors take one of their two required writing intensive seminars in the fall of their junior year, before travel. This is to allow for the second to be completed senior year. A student may transfer up to two courses in Communication as ELECTIVES from the Study Abroad placement, which counts toward the seven total courses needed by the end of junior year. These courses must be pre-approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Christine Caswell.